Continuing last week's walking & stumbling theme:上を向いて 歩こう (walk while looking up) - also know as the Sukiyaki song.

If you read last week's post, you know I severely sprained my ankle on a morning walk while looking up at fighting squirrels, so that post was about looking where you're walking. Then, I remembered this song, which I feel is telling me what NOT to do when I go for my next walk. (Ankle update: still sore but already so much better, I'm walking without a cane and am thinking about doing a half hour walk this weekend!)

Apparently the English Sukiyaki song title was chosen randomly because it was a relatively well-known Japanese word in 1961 when this hit sung by Kyu Sakamoto came out.

I remember hearing it on the radio in the 70's and 80's, but I only understood what it was about once I started learning Japanese. So, an additional tip if you want to learn more - listen to Japanese music!

The lyrics are pretty simple (this is not the entire song, just the phrases I like the most - and like in any song things are repeated!):

上を向いて 歩こう(look up when walking)

涙が こぼれないように (don't let your tears fall)

思い出す春の日 一人ぽっちの夜 (remembering a spring day - it's a lonely night)

にじんだ 星をかぞえて (counting the blurred stars)

泣きながら歩く 一人ぽっちの夜 (I walk alone crying - it's a lonely night)

幸せは 雲の上に (happiness is above the clouds)

幸せは 空の上に (happiness is up in the sky)

悲しみは 星のかげに (sadness is in the shadow of the stars)

悲しみは 月のかげに (sadness is in the shadow of the moon)

All that crying, maybe it's describing what happened after he stumbled while not watching his feet? Just kidding, I love this song!

Another great thing about this song is that it's the first ever song in a non-European language to top the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1963! Apparently this single has sold over 13 million copies worldwide, very impressive for sure.

Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbTsG9jrJsU

Any favorite old Japanese crooner you'd like to share?